PCB refutes latest match-fixing report

British tabloid 'The Sun' claimed that the ICC is investigating the match, which Pakistan won by 23 runs yesterday, "after its probe exposed evidence apparently showing that bookies knew details of Pakistan's innings before the match even began."

But PCB Chairman Ijaz Butt rubbished the report. "These are meaningless allegations without any proof. I haven't read the report so I can't comment any further," Butt said.
"The ICC has not got in touch with us on any such accusation. That is total imagination. There is no truth in it," he added.

The latest report comes close on the heels of the spot-fixing scandal that led to the suspension of Pakistan Test captain Salman Butt and the pace duo of Mohammad Aamir and Mohammad Asif.

"The new investigation will center on suspicious scoring patterns in Pakistan's innings and on two suspect overs during yesterday's match at The Oval," the report stated.

"Illegal bookies in India and Dubai apparently knew in advance what would happen so they could launch a betting coup. But The Sun's undercover team was able to pass details to ICC inspectors before the match began."

According to the newspaper, the scoring pattern of the game matched with the "target that bookies had been told in advance by a fixer."

The tabloid claimed it "received details of calls between a notorious Dubai-based match fixer and a Delhi bookie."

"We alerted ICC corruption busters led by ex-police chief Sir Ronnie Flanagan. After a frantic round of calls the ICC decided to issue a general warning to Pakistan's players, but by then the game had started," it said.

However, Butt remained dismissive of the report and said, "No point in giving a comment on this. No truth in it."

The tabloid claimed that ICC chief executive Haroon Lorgat "thanked it for its investigation and pledged tough action on any players found guilty."

It said the ICC is also "investigating whether the same cartel rigged a Test between Pakistan and Australia in July after allegedly paying players 700,000 pounds."